cartner



(No Model.) I I T. FERGUSON 813 W. W. CARTNBR.

4 FLYING TARGET. N0. 367,748. Patented Aug. 2, 1887.

' INVENTORS u. PETERS. HMO-W. Walhinflon n. c

THOMAS FERGUSON AND \VILLIAM V. OARTNER, OF PARKERSBURG, IOWA,

ASSIGNORS TO SIDNEY P. HEARTT AND ROBERT D.

PLACE.

O\VEN, BOTH OF SAME FLYING TARGET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 367,748, dated Aug 1887- Application filed March 3!, 1887. Serial No. 233,185.

(No model.)

To all whom if; may concern;

Be it known that we, THOMAS FERGUSON and WILLIAM W. OARTNER, citizens of the United States, resident at Parkersbnrg, in the 5 county of Butler and State of Iowa, have in: vented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying Targets; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description'ol" the invention, such as will enable oth- IO ers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a top view of our improved flying target with the open spring-ring in the initial position. Fig. 2 shows a top view of the target with the spring off the body thereof, and Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the target.

Our invention relates to flying targets; and it consists in the construction and novel combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A designates a sheet-metal target designed for use in wing-shooting from traps.

This class of targets is now in nse; but the present construction is objectionable for several reasons. The principal one of these objections is that the tailor the target will be caused to fly out by the jar from the trap, for the reason that the tail only touches the target at three points when set. Oonsequentl y if the shot should dent the target at these points the 3 5 tail cannot be set without being taken off and fastened, so that the points will have new bearlugs. made of light material. hen the shot strikes them, the targets will spring in order to throw the tail out. Consequently the targets last only a short time. Our object is mainly to overcome these difliculties and objections, and to make a metal target that can be used unlimitedly without getting out of order, and one 5 which can be set any number of times and will require the same force or jar to throw off the Furthermore, the targets have to be spring, thereby giving each competitor in a shooting-match the same chance, which is a thing to be desired.

The open spring-ring O is made of steel wire, and when sprung to place clamps the targetbody, to the rim of which it is connected by a link, D. The ring-indicator O is sprung into an annular recess or groove, Z, around the body portion of the target and concentric therewith.

This target can be set almost instantly without the necessity of changing the tension of the spring, and when struck the friction crease or groove is not liable to be damaged so as to prevent reuse.

The target may be made of as heavy matcrial as may be desirable. The spring is released or thrown off by the jar of the shot. The hole at the center aids in producing the fall; but the primary cause is the retarding effect produced by the ring 0 dangling at one side of the target and thereby upsetting it.

Having described this invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. A flying target having an annular friction-seat and an open springring indicator connected thereto and adapted to be sprung into said seat, as set forth.

2. A flying target having a central opening and provided with a rinrconnected indicator held in place by elastic friction and adapted to be released by the shock of the shot striking it, as set forth.

3. A flying target having a central opening,

an annular concentric friction-seat, and a connected ring-indicator adapted to be released by the shock of the shot, as specified.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS FERGUSON. \VILLIAM OARTNER.

W'itnesses:

S. P. HEARTT, O. B. COURTRIGHT. 

